19th Century

Legacy of the Saints from the 19th century

J. C. Ryle – The life of this servant only has to be heard once to be remembered. He believed in a message that does not adjust to the times. He knew that all the great turning points of church history have been attended with controversy, and that ‘there are times when controversy is not only a duty but a benefit’.

Arthur (A. W.) Pink – Born in England in 1886, Pink was the little-known pastor of churches in the United States and Australia. His magazine — Studies in the Scriptures — pointed its readers back to an understanding of the gospel that had rarely been heard since the days of C. H. Spurgeon. He died almost unnoticed in 1952.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon – Born in 1834, England and the first of 17 children. He was converted at the age of 16, in a snow storm through a lay Methodist preacher, and 1 year later became a pastor in Cambridge (without any formal theological education). Yet he was perhaps the most well-read pastor in England. Spurgeon is considered by many to be one of the greatest preachers since the days of the apostles. He had preached over 600 times before he was 20 years old. He is affectionately known as “The Prince of Preachers”.

Eliza Spurgeon – Fathers and mothers are the most natural agents for God to use in the salvation of their children. Eliza was no exception. She was dedicated to her calling as both a helper to her husband, John, himself a preacher of the gospel, and an advocate for her children. Her devotion to the children, however, was tempered by her supreme love and commitment to God.

Charles Hodge– Presbyteriantheologian and principal of Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a leading exponent of the Princeton Theology, an orthodox Calvinist theological tradition in America during the 19th century. Hodge’s greatest contributions were representing the faith in his 56 years of teaching, his training of more than 3,000 seminary students, and writing theological books read by millions.

Oswald Chambers – Evangelist and teacher, best known for the devotional My Utmost for His Highest. His ministry of teaching and preaching took him for a time to the United States and Japan. The last 6 years of his life were spent as principal of the Bible Training College in London, and as a chaplain to British Commonwealth troops in Egypt during World War l. After his death, the books which bear his name were compiled by his wife from her own verbatim shorthand notes of his talks.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Welsh Protestantminister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement. In 1923 he underwent a profound conversion. It was so life-changing that it brought with it a passion to preach and completely outweighed his call as a physician.

John G. Paton – Mmissionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific. John and Mary Paton landed on the island of Tanna on November 5, 1858 and built a small house. The natives were cannibals., and the couple was surrounded by savages. Three months after their arrival, their son, Peter was born. 19 days later, Mary died from tropical fever soon to be followed to the grave by newly born Peter at 36 days of age. To the end – John Paton brought the news of salvation to these lost souls.

Dwight (D. L.) Moody – Born in Massachusetts, his father died when he was 4. This left 9 children for his mother, Betsey, to raise. He was never encouraged him to read the Bible, and only acquired the equivalent of a fifth-grade education. On his own at age 17, he sold shoes in his uncle’s store and attended YMCA and Sunday school classes. He became a Christian at age 18. Moody moved to Chicago as president of the YMCA. He had a passion for saving souls and determined never to let a day pass without telling someone the gospel.

Horacio Spafford – was a strong supporter of the work of evangelist Dwight L. Moody. He was also a successful lawyer and, in addition to his legal practice, Spafford owned considerable real estate in the city of Chicago. With the fire, his property was taken from him. And that financial setback came on the heels of the death of his only son. But the man’s faith in God remained strong.

Cyrus (C. I.) Scofield – Best known today for the Scofield Reference Bible. As a teen, he fought in the Civil War. He became a lawyer and was politically active in the state of Kansas, even appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant, but resigned under allegations of corruption. Later, he became separated from his wife and his children, no longer practiced law, and was described as a thief and a drunkard. It was in 1879, Scofield’s conversion occurred. He immediately became active in the ministry, which dominated his life from then on.

Billy Sunday – never met his father. He died in the Civil War 5 weeks after Billy was born. His mother was so impoverished, she sent her children away to the Soldier’s Orphans Home. Sunday went with his brother and his love of baseball. In high school, scouts traveled far to watch him play. His professional baseball career began with the Chicago White Stockings in 1883. After his conversion in Chicago in 1886, he felt a strong call to preach. By 1895, he was headlining his own revivals, and he soon became one of the most successful evangelists of his generation. Sunday portrayed an image of the all-American man: plain-spoken, athletic, patriotic, professional, and hyper-masculine, delivering a form of old-time religion with entertainment, toughness, and passion.